"Are you sure you don't need anything else?" Jay asked as he checked over her one more time.
Trish rolled her eyes, sighing as she shifted on the couch. She knew he meant well, but it wasn't as though she was on her death bed. He had her laying up in a fortress of pillows so thick she could hardly see around them.
"Jay, I broke my hand," she said, waving her cast in the air as a reminder. "I really don't think all this is necessary."
Jay paused, looking over her once more. He supposed it was a bit much.
"You're right, I'm sorry," he admitted. "Just wanted to make sure you were taken care of."
Trish smiled as a sheepish look crossed Jay's face. She tossed some of the pillows to the floor, rising from the couch. She made her way over to him, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist.
"That's sweet of you, baby," she said thoughtfully. "But I'm just fine. If anything, I should be taking care of you."
Jay felt a smile growing on his own face. Her grin was contagious. He sighed, wrapping his arms around her. He hugged her tightly, pleased to discover his back felt perfectly fine.
"Honestly, I feel great," he told her.
Trish smiled, "Guess those painkillers are doing their job."
Though his hold on her remained firm, Jay's smile diminished. He had been having a lot of trouble getting to sleep as of late... for some rason, the pain was always worst at night. He started taking extra pills - just one, and only on nights when he experienced exceptional discomfort. He wasn't pleased with himself for taking more than his doctor prescribed, but in those instances he just had to.
Still, he knew he remained in control. He just didn't want Trish to know. He knew her well enough to anticipate her reaction, and that was not something he wished to deal with.
"Yeah, they... they really work," he replied with an awkward shrug.
He gave her one more squeeze before letting go, and then made his way over to the couch. He bent down to clear the rest of the pillows, wincing as he felt a slight twinge in his lower back. He plopped down on the cushion, gesturing for her to join him. She sauntered over and sat down beside him, snuggling up against him.
"You know what the bright side of this broken hand is," Jay said, running his finger over the hard cast on her wrist. "We'll get to spend some time together."
The prospect of the two of them being home together brought a very tranquil feeling to him. As corny as it sounded, he loved the idea that they would be able to go to the movies, shop, do things around he house together. It was all very domestic.
"Yeah," Trish agreed with a bright smile. "We'll have to do as much as possible this week."
Jay did a double take.
"W-what?" he asked incredulously. "What did you say?"
"We have to spend a lot of time together this week," she repeated. "You know, before I get back on the road."
Jay could barely stop his jaw from dropping. Going back on the road? Was she serious?
"Why would you go back on the road next week?" he questioned, staring at her in disbelief. "You can't wrestle."
Trish frowned, glancing up at Jay. She knew he was looking forward to spending time with her, as she was with him. She only hoped he wouldn't be too disappointed.
"I know, but Vince and the writers say it doesn't matter. They still want to write me into the shows, because right now I'm the only diva on Raw getting major heel heat," she explained.
Jay couldn't prevent a frustrated sigh from escaping his lips.
"Trish, I wanted to have you around the house with me," he said sadly, lowering his gaze.
"I know you did, honey, and believe me, I want to be home with you, too," she said. "But if creative is going to give me something to work with till I can wrestle again, I'm going to show up."
She cupped her hand under his chin, lifting his gaze from the floor. A hurt look filled her brown eyes as he swatted her hand away.
"Jay, stop..." she started calmly.
"I'm sorry," he said, though his tone said otherwise. "I don't mean to be bitter, but I just found out I've got at least another month of sitting in an empty house."
"Jay, you know if you were in my position you'd be doing exactly the same as I am!" she cried, taking offense to his remark, and his tone. "Besides, you've been here for weeks already, you've got things to do."
"Oh yeah, Trish," he spat, no longer bothering to disguise his anger. "It's real fun sitting inside all day starting at the fucking walls! And for the record, if I were in your position, I'd be a little more compassionate to my significant other's situation, and I'd take the damn time off."
Trish immediately rose from the couch, crossing her arms in front of her with a huff. A testy glare lit up her eyes. She in no way deserved to be spoken to in this manner.
"Well why don't I just go and break my leg while I'm at it?" she quipped sarcastically. "Better yet, I'll quit! I don't need that dream career anyway, so long as I can stay home and listen to you mope every goddamn second of the day."
Jay groaned loudly, smacking his forehead.
"Don't turn this around on me..." he said, his tone dropping drastically.
"Turn it around on you?" she said in utter shock. "What the hell is your problem? You attack me and expect me not to defend myself? Do you have any idea how irrational you're being?"
Jay remained silent, his eyes finding the floor once again. She was right. And damned if he tried to win this argument... he should have known better. He hadn't won an argument since the day they got together. Nobody could outwit Trish Stratus in a verbal battle. He exhaled slowly, rising from the couch.
"Trish, I'm sorry," he said, as he carefully approached her. "It's just... I'm having trouble with all this. It's getting to me more than I thought it would, and I just thought that having you around would make it easier."
Trish forced herself to look away, knowing full well that one look into those charming blue eyes would make her melt. She was far too pissed to melt.
"I'm doing my best to make it easier, Jay, but there's only so much I can do. Every second I'm home, I'm with you. I call you all the time. I do everything for you. I can't put my career on hold, not now. Not while I'm the champion. If you really expect that of me, than I cannot believe how ungrateful you are. This is hard for me, too," she told him.
"I know," he said sheepishly, reaching to her. "And Trish, I..."
"Save it," she said in response.
She shrugged out of his grasp and bounded up the stairs, leaving him behind.
